Particles (2)

から

Because

V

い-Adj

な-Adj + だ

N + だ

+ から

The first meaning of から is “because”.

Example

疲つかれるから今ベットに行きます。 I’m going to bed now because I am tired.

From, since

The second meaning expresses that something comes from someone/something, or the start time/location. Used by only adding から.

Example

お祖母ばあさんからもらった。 I got it from my grandmother.

ここで子供こどもの時から家族かぞくと住すんでいます。 I have lived here with my family since I’m a kid.

まで

Means “until” or “to”.

Example

駅えきまでどのくらいですか。 How far is it to the station?

から～まで

These two particles are frequently used together. It means “from X to Y”.

Example

朝あさに６時から７時まで電車で通かようっています。 I commute by train from 6am to 7am.

っけ

V

い-Adj い かった

な-Adj + だ・だった

N + だ・だった

+ っけ

Used when the speaker tries to remember, or confirm an information, that has been forgotten.

Example

会議かいぎは今日だったっけ。 Was the meeting today?

こそ

Means “for sure”. Used to emphasize words. Used with nouns.

⚠ Replaces the を and が particle. It is, in a certain way, a stronger way than が to highlight information.

Example

今年ことしこそ日本にほんを住すむ。 This year, for sure I’ll live in Japan.

さえ

V (て)

V ます

N + で

N +

+ さえ

Means “even”, “not even” (with negative verbs).

Example

先生せんせいでさえ、この曲きょくを弾ひくことは難むずかしいです。 Even for my teacher, this composition is difficult to play.

⚠ With conditional verbs, it means “only”. See さえ～ば.

Sentence ending

At the end of a sentence, some particles can be added to put emphasis on a meaning.

• なあ express hope, admiration or uncertainty. Can also be used to ask for confirmation (“right?”).
• ね seeks confirmation.
• よ when informing someone about something.
• わ is informal women’s speech.